Building A Serum Wardrobe

A serum is one of the most valuable parts of any good skincare regime. Containing more potent ingredients in smaller molecules than their moisturiser counterparts, serums can penetrate deeper and deliver powerful actives to where your skin will benefit from it the most. Serums are typically targeted to different concerns such as dullness, pigmentation or refining skin texture. Here, we discuss the benefits of building a serum wardrobe using a mix of targeted serums for different concerns and how you can layer your collection or alternate between products for the best effect…

What Is A Serum?

“Serums can be very variable in texture – going from a thin water-like texture to something more viscous and creamy,” says Kendra Flockhart, Sales & Education Executive for Darphin. “Generally speaking they don’t offer moisturisation, but they do have a targeted end benefit and active ingredients that can penetrate the skin.” Joel Rubin, VP of R&D at DCL skincare explains the key differences between serums, oils and moisturisers. “Moisturisers usually contain lipids and ingredients to lubricate the skin, while serums deliver higher concentrations of actives. Similarly, face oils do not penetrate the dermis of the skin as well as serums do.”

When To Use A Serum?

You can use a serum up to twice daily, once in the morning and also at night. As they are a lighter texture than moisturisers they should be the first skincare product you apply after cleansing. After applying your serum, allow around ten seconds until the serum has fully absorbed or feels tacky to the touch.

Targeting And Layering Your Serums

Once you’ve decided which skincare concerns you would like to target, you can select the serums you think your skin needs the most to build up your serum wardrobe. Perhaps its redness relief, fine line reducing or skin smoothing. Much like you would with your clothes, serums also work well layered together. Alter your combinations to suit the weather and your skin’s needs, so you’ll have the freedom and ability to tailor your regime to best benefit your complexion. Known as skin-zoning, try using targeted serums on different parts of your face as often individual areas such as the T-zone or around the nose have unique needs, or if you’re layering up, make sure to allow a few seconds between each layer to prevent piling.

Key Ingredients To Look Out For

Some of our favourite skincare ingredients are found in their most efficacious forms in serums. From hydrating hyaluronic acid that can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water to skin-brightening vitamin C, or potent acids such as AHAs or BHAs that help revive and refresh dull skin. Here are five serums we want to add to our wardrobe…